Among the oldest wooden buildings in the world that are still intact are the stavkirke, most of which are found in Norway. During the Middle Ages there were between 1,000 and 2,000 scattered throughout the country. Today, only 28 have been preserved. The oldest is probably the stavkirke in Urnes, in the Sognefjord area, which experts believe is the fourth church erected on this exact spot in 1140.
The church, built in the Romanesque style, stands out not only because of its antiquity, but also because of its magnificent sculptures and excellent preservation. The posts (stav) that support the structure are finely carved and the decorations feature motifs such as crucifixes, mythological creatures and phytomorphic ornaments. The church has been owned by the Norwegian National Trust since 1881 and was included on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1980.
